Big Mama Thornton Biography

Born Willie Mae Thornton, December 11, 1926, in Montgomery, AL; died of a heart attack, July 25, 1984, in Los Angeles, CA.

Earning the nickname "Big Mama" because of her broad girth, Willie Mae Thornton continued the tradition of the great female blues singers who made their mark a few decades before their heyday. She was a popular performer on the rhythm-and-blues circuit from the 1950s until her death in 1984 and is best-known for "Ball and Chain," a composition of her own that was also a hit for Janis Joplin. "Her booming voice, sometimes 200-pound frame, and exuberant stage manner had audiences stomping their feet and shouting encouragement in R&B theaters from coast to coast from the early 1950s on," remarked Irwin Stambler in the Encyclopedia of Pop Rock & Soul.

Robert Santelli wrote in the Big Book of Blues that Thornton "was a direct descendant of such classic blues singers as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and especially Memphis Minnie, the '30s blues woman whose style Thornton's most strongly resembled." Concurring with this opinion in his review of Thornton's Ball 'N' Chain album in the Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD, Frank-John Hadley noted, "Willie Mae Thornton, full throated and aggressive, was a gale wind of passion in the fashion of her foremothers Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey." Thornton never received formal training as a singer or musician. "No one taught her how to sing or how to play the harmonica and drums," wrote Chris Strachwitz in the liner notes for Big Mama Thornton: Ball N' Chain. "Willie Mae just watched others and tried things."

One of seven children of a minister in Alabama, Thornton sang in church choirs along with her mother as a child. She was forced to begin working at age 14 when her mother died, and got her first chance to sing in public at a saloon where she scrubbed floors after the regular singer quit her job one night. After joining Sammy Green's Hot Harlem Review of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1941, she hit the road on the blues circuit throughout the South. While on tour she was treated to live performances by blues legends such as Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, and Big Maceo.

After settling in Houston in 1948, Thornton met Junior Parker, Lightning Hopkins, Lowell Fulson, and Gatemouth Brown, all of whom influenced her style. Her first recording was released in Houston under the name Harlem Stars. Next she signed a contract with the Peacock label and headed to Los Angeles to appear with bandleader Johnny Otis, who was well known on the pop music scene at the time. His tour included famous performers such as Little Esther and Mel Walker. With the Otis band on the Peacock label, Thornton recorded some 30 songs in the early 1950s that were "remarkable for the vocal presence and total cohesiveness," according to Gerard Herzhaft in the Encyclopedia of Blues.

Thornton's big break came in 1953 when, according to Bob Shannon and John Javna in Behind the Hits, Johnny Otis asked composers Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller to write a song especially for Thornton. The song was "Hound Dog," and it climbed to number one on the R&B charts, making Thornton a national star. "They [Lieber and Stoller] were just a couple of kids then and they had this song written on a paper bag," Thornton told a columnist in New York City, claimed Stambler. "So I started to sing the words and join in some of my own. All that talkin' and hollerin'--that's my own." Three years later, the song became a monster hit for Elvis Presley, with an arrangement similar to the original. Thornton always felt that she was cheated out of the success she deserved from "Hound Dog." The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music noted that some people thought Thornton rather than Lieber and Stoller should have received credit for writing it. "I never got what I should have," she was quoted as saying by Stambler. "I got one check for $500 and I never seen another."

After "Hound Dog," Thornton kept busy at R&B showcases across the country. She traveled the circuit with friends Junior Parker and Johnny Ace in 1953 and 1954, then with Gatemouth Brown in 1956 before returning to California and taking up residence in Los Angeles the next year. As blues music declined in popularity in the late 1950s, Thornton was no longer in such demand, and she lost her recording contract in 1957. However, she continued to perform, playing drums and harmonica with small bands at local blues clubs in San Francisco. Thornton regained some of her lost limelight in 1961 with "Ball and Chain," which became a modest hit for her. Her star status continued to rise during the 1960s as white audiences began embracing blues music.

After appearing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1964, Thornton toured Europe as part of the American Folk Blues Festival. Her increasing popularity led to a new recording contract in 1965 with the Arhoolie label, an association that lasted into the 1980s. Her first Arhoolie album was recorded in Europe and featured a noteworthy lineup of James Cotton on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano, and Muddy Waters on guitar. Her visibility increased as she performed at Monterey again in 1966 and at various other jazz and blues festivals in the 1960s and 1970s. Her live appearances at two penitentiaries were also recorded In the 1970s.

Years of heavy drinking and hard-living had taken their toll on Thornton by the 1980s. But she continued to perform and remained popular in West Coast clubs up until the end of her life. "Emaciated, unable to remain standing, 'Big Mama' was still impressive with her swing during her last performances on stage," contended Herzhaft. She died of a heart attack in 1984 while living in a Los Angeles boarding house.

by Ed Decker

Big Mama Thornton's Career

Toured with Sammy Green's Hot Harlem Review, 1941; met Junior Parker, Lightning Hopkins, Lowell Fulson, and Gatemouth Brown, 1948; made first recording under name Harlem Stars, around 1950; signed with Peacock label, 1951; toured and recorded with Johnny Otis band, early 1950s; recorded "Hound Dog," 1953; appeared in many R&B shows, 1950s; toured with Junior Parker and Johnny Ace, 1953~54; toured with Gatemouth Brown, 1956; wrote and recorded "Ball and Chain," 1961; recorded with Kent and Mercury labels, 1960s; appeared at Monterey Jazz Festival, 1964, 1966; appeared on "Dick Cavett" television show, 1971; performed at two state prisons, 1975; performed with American Folk Blues Festival in Europe, 1965; established long-term association with Arhoolie label, 1965; appeared at Kool Newport Jazz Festival, 1980.

Judy was right - she was a national treasure,listened to her since the 60's-also saw her then and loved her-take that elvis!

over 6 years ago

I am just now really comin' to know about Big Momma, I was introduced to her music while watching one of those Time Life infomercials ...they had a sound bite of Hound Dog, I was blown away!!! The weight in her voice, her timing, her confidence, the way she slammed her lyrics ...I only wish I could have seen her and other great woman like Mahalia Jackson and Sister Loretta Thorpe. But one thing's for sure, Elvis should have looked out for this sister, there's no way she should have died broke and busted in a boarding house. Shame one Elvis and same on the whole industry. RIP Big Momma!

over 7 years ago

wait she performed in santa cruz! thats where i live, i wish i coiuld of been alive to see her shes magnificent safe to say the queen of blues

about 8 years ago

does anyone know the name of the kids she had....im trying to trace my family history

about 8 years ago

Big Mama performed at a little corner bar in Santa Cruz in the late 50's early 60's, the bar was always filled to capacity and the entire sidewalk area around the bar was rockin to her great music. I really miss her.

over 8 years ago

She was married to Leon Smith.

over 8 years ago

okay i found out she had 4 kids.....anything else?

over 8 years ago

did she have any kids? i need to know

over 8 years ago

Big Mama Thornton like all of the blues legends made music in their times. Such great self-taught talent was wasted by the stress and alcohol. I continue to love her music. RIP Mama.

almost 9 years ago

big mama was a national treasure her talents were instrumental in popularizing this music form (Blues) that is as American as apple pie. God must be rocking in heaven . Big Mama I know you're finally enjoying the peace that eluded you here on earth. Wewere lucky you left behind your musical legacy.

almost 9 years ago

Bessie Smith died in 1937. How could Thornton have heard her on tour in 1941?

about 9 years ago

elvis owes her!!! it's sad he got so rich of other's talents. shame on him! he should have taken care of her.